Electric vehicles land at RAF Wittering to help base go green

Group Captain Jo Lincoln with the new electric vehicles

All RAF Stations have Mechanical Transport (MT) Sections. Known as Station MT, these sections manage and maintain the fleet of vehicles used for routine defence business. The MT Section at RAF Wittering has just received five Peugeot 208 electric vehicles.

The new cars are part of the MoD Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) programme and are supplied under a ‘white-fleet’ contract.

Flight Sergeant Darren Lewis manages RAF Wittering’s vehicles and its military and civilian drivers, and he said: "This is absolutely the right thing for us to do, we need environmentally friendly vehicles and these new electric cars are a great start. We’re also going to receive two fully electric vans so that we can start to move equipment and goods in a cleaner way.”

By 2023 the MoD’s target is to have electric vehicles making up 25% of its white fleet. White fleet describes civilian vehicles; the cars, vans and lorries that would not ordinarily have a military role.

The MT Section is taking a practical approach to how the electric vehicles are used. One has been assigned to the Station’s environmental health technicians, whilst the others will be allocated to the tasks that sit comfortably within their range.

So far, the new electric vehicles have proved to be a useful addition to RAF Wittering’s fleet and have been in frequent use since their arrival three weeks ago. Charging requirements aside, the electric cars can do everything required from a similar sized conventional vehicle.

Group Captain Jo Lincoln, Station Commander at RAF Wittering said: “This is definitely the way forward. I am very happy that we are embracing this technology and reducing our

emissions. It’s an exciting time to be getting these electric vehicles and ensuring we are sustainable is so important.

“I am delighted for our MT Section. They do a great job in keeping the Station moving and also reduce our carbon emissions. Sure, it’s a long road ahead, but each journey begins with a first step and I’m really encouraged by this.”